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A New Ally? It's A Tree!
🕑 Added 2023-07-07 13:54:34 +0000 UTC--- Chapter 120 ---
After threatening-!
After taming the Fallen Heart Flame, Baek Ain put the domesticated Heavenly Flame into a uniquely-shaped ring made of Gold Jade, which could store living things for a short period and keep them pure.
It's a prototype created through Ancient Refining.
'Stay here for a moment.' Baek Ain told the Fallen Heart Flame.
He glanced at his companion and said, "Let's get out of this place.'
Since the Fallen Heart Flame has stopped controlling the influx of fire dou qi underground, people at the mountain range should have noticed the distraction.
Fortunately, they are far from the land.
Even if those people used Spatial Strengths to create Wormholes here, it would take around five to ten minutes to set it up.
Lan Rou and Cai Lin nodded at Baek Ain's lead as she watched him create a Wormhole. They disappeared from the deep sea and flashed one thousand miles away, arriving in the unknown forest.
And as Baek Ain expected, people are rushing toward the seaside location near the mountain range. They looked down at the ocean with a gloomy look because the trace of Fallen Heart Flame had long disappeared, leaving only a charred trench underwater.
Some people are sad.
Some people are mad.
After all, they have gotten played by someone else.
"GOD DAMN IT!"
"WHO! WHO IS THE BASTARD THAT STOLE MY HEAVENLY FLAME!"
"Your Heavenly Flame? Keep dreaming! The Fallen Heart Flame belongs to Jia Nan Academy."
"Pfft and you guys lost it right under your nose. I'd be embarrassed if I were you guys."
All the faction representatives mocked each other, not wanting to lose face in this situation. They didn't even care about the Fallen Heart Flame anymore, as the person who stole it from them vanished without a trace.
...
...
Unknown Forest.
"What is this place?" Cai Ling frowned, scanning the area with her red eyes.
The forest is "actually." filled with lush trees and vegetation, but Cai Lin couldn't find a single animal. Even Lan Rou and Baek Ain found it weird.
Baek Ain checked his system map and commented, "We are a thousand miles from the ocean(former location). I didn't think the Wormhole would bring us here."
"Let's explore first."
The group moved into the forest and discovered no trace of humans or beasts around the area. As they ventured deeper, Lan Rou noticed a weird yet unique root system.
"Ain, these roots. They are connected." Lan Rou uttered while reaching for the root near her, feeling a vibrant vitality flowing inside the rough brown bark.
Baek Ain possessed Wood Element Affinity because he was alchemy and could feel the overwhelming wood energy from the roots. It was a pure energy that could rival Heavenly Flame in purity.
Still, the wood energy here is weaker than Baek Ain's fire dou qi.
"How weird..." Cai Lin couldn't help but utter.
She has evolved from the snake queen to Nine-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python and possesses the unique lineage of Divine Beast Behemoth. However, the vitality from these roots is weirdly compatible with her.
She broke the roots with her sharp finger and bit onto it, causing her red eyes to widen. It was sweet like honey nectar and silky like milk.
"T-This is..."
"Ain, try this." She hurriedly shoved another root into Baek Ain's mouth.
Baek Ain chewed on the roots and mumbled, "No way."
[Ding! You have consumed a rare medicine!]
[Ashen-Eyed Behemoth's Bloodline has started to awaken!]
[Current Progress: 0.001%]
"Rou, try it."
"What are you two-?" Before Lan Rou could finish her sentence, Cai Lin and Baek Ain had already shoved some roots into her mouth.
Lan Rou's misty eyes widened in shock as she uttered, "T-This is the Honey Milk Tree's Roots."
"I thought it was a myth."
"You know this root?" Cai Lin tilted her head.
Lan Rou nodded and answered, "Honey Milk Tree's Roots originated from the Honey Milk Tree. It was a celestial tree recorded in legend and appeared once, but no one believed it."
"The root will possess the taste of honey and silkiness of the milk, having a life-extending effect and strong vitality."
"If one could consume enough Honey Milk Tree's Roots, that person will reach Saint Realm. Even in my first life, no one. No one ever found this mythical medicine."
"Some people barely found a record about it."
Baek Ain was curious and picked up a point, "If the roots have such an effect already, then what about the tree itself?"
"Does it have fruits?"
Hearing Baek Ain's statements, Lan Rou and Cai Lin got stupefied. They are also excited.
With great anticipation in mind, they ventured into the core part of the forest. They realized the vegetation, which is only trees, changed. The bark becomes whiter, like an aspen tree, and the leaves gradually become yellowish-golden.
And not only that, but Baek Ain also detected that all these trees are one entity as the root system connects, creating an array to conserve energy.
The power of nature is incredible indeed.
They arrived at the core area and saw a massive yet tall white tree with thousands of branches and probably billions of gold leaves.
"Welcome, humans." A calm voice appeared as they stepped in.
The leaves fell and formed a koala, calmly sitting on the ground and waving its hand, inviting them to sit.
Baek Ain shrugged as he had his fair share of weird experiences in this world and sat before the koala. He didn't sense any ill intent from the koala either, so it should be fine.
Lan Rou and Cai Lin followed him, sitting on each side.
"What's this place?" Baek Ain casually asked.
The koala laughed and returned, "Pretty straightforward, eh?"
"Well, we can settle the problem quickly if you were this confident."
"You're currently inside the Great Honey Milk Tree's Domain. I didn't know how you entered this place with just a 2-Star Dou Venerate level of Wormholes, but you piqued my interest."
"Let's make a deal."
"A deal?" Baek Ain frowned slightly.
The koala nodded and reassured Baek Ain, "Don't worry, I wouldn't do a shady deal with you. After all, I sensed great Wood Affinity from you."
"Even purer than all of my clones, but still inferior to my main body."
"You have more rights than others to obtain "Pure Sage Physique." and unlock its potential."
"Pure Sage Physique!" Both Lan Rou and Cai Lin were dumbfounded.
They stayed inside Behemoth Paradise(Sage Kingdom) for a month and read some books. Some books recorded information about the Great Thousand World, and one book has information about Celestial Bodies.
Something that only powerful sects and clans from the Great Thousand World could cultivate with their Divine Arts, and they guard its secret to death!
Pure Sage Physique is just a low-ranked physique and wasn't even part of the Celestial Bodies Ranking, but Fan Gu, the Sky God, boldly mentioned he could evolve this physique into "Great Sage Physique."
Great Sage Physique is one of the goals Fan Gu wanted to reach, trampling over other Celestial Bodies.
Unfortunately, Fan Gu failed because this world doesn't possess the required materials, nor could these native people train Pure Sage Physique because their innate talents are lackings.
"Sure, there is no free meal like that. Too good to be true." Baek Ain rolled his eyes.
The koala nodded and responded, "Correct."
"It's part of the deal."
"Around two years ago, a wave of insects invaded my domain. They have eaten my clones and some main branches, scaring me."
"I tried to fend them off, but being the Great Honey Milk Tree cursed me with no offensive ability besides Spiritual Shock and loathsome physical attacks."
"Those insects are mindless as they could regenerate without their heads, so my attacks are ineffective for the long run."
Baek Ain waited for Alicia to issue a quest triggered, but no notification appeared.
[Since the Host has obtained the right to undergo 1st Soul Transition, any quest deemed not challenging will not be issued] Alicia suddenly commented.
[It's up to your consideration to help someone or not from now on, Host]
"..." Baek Ain sighed helplessly.
'I haven't even used my reward to do Soul Transition, you know?'
[Then do it quickly] Alicia countered monotonously.
[You're missing out]
Baek Ain moved his gaze to the koala and said, "The deal is nice, but I need more rewards."
"I will fulfill your wish as long as it's within my limit." The koala answered without hesitation.
"Even your Life Core?"
"Even my Life Core and saplings. I'll give them to you."
"Damn, you wanted those insects to die, huh?"
"Yup, slaughter them all."
Lan Rou and Cai Lin have a funny look when witnessing this sight. Baek Ain and the Great Honey Milk Tree's Spirit made a deal like they were big bosses of a company. Well, they are if you think about it.
"Deal, happy cooperation!" They shook hands firmly.
"Wipe them for me." The koala grinned at Baek Ain.
Baek Ain grinned back, "Consider it done."
[Fire Shadow Envoy x100]
"Go!" Baek Ain ordered his Fire Shadow Envoys, telling them to kill any insects on their paths. The Great Honey Milk Tree's Spirit has told him all the nest's locations, so this probably will take fifteen minutes to an hour.
"Oh, wow! I didn't know such a miraculous technique existed." The koala commented when sensing Baek Ain's Fire Shadow Envoys.
"It seems Humans are thriving well on the outside."
Baek Ain shook his head and denied, "Good news for you. I'm the only one possessing this technique in this world."
"Also, what do you mean from outside?"
The koala was stunned as it laughed, "Haha, it seems I have made a formidable ally."
"And to answer your question, my domain is "actually." located inside a hollow mountain. I have pulled some mountains nearby to form an illusion array so that no people could enter and find my location."
"That's why your Wormhole confuses me."
An hour later.
Baek Ain's Fire Shadow Envoys canceled themselves as they wiped the insect-type Rank 7 magical beasts from the Great Honey Milk Tree's Domain.
Those insects are no match for Baek Ain's skills.
And Baek Ain received his generous rewards.
Baek Ain looked at the three things in his hands.
A green crystal. Great Honey Milk Tree's Life Core, which can be used in alchemy to create a 9th Tier Pill.
Some branches could get planted as the Great Honey Milk Tree's Saplings.
And a drop of white-gold liquid. It is the 10.000 years old essence that the Great Honey Milk Tree has gathered after absorbing an immense amount of Heaven and Earth energy.
It is more valuable than the tree's life core, allowing someone to obtain Pure Sage Physique. And probably awakening Baek Ain's Ashen-Eyed Behemoth's Bloodline.
Baek Ain stored his rewards in the inventory meticulously as he was afraid to spoil their qualities and opened his mouth, "What about making another deal?"
"Hoho, I'm all ears." The koala's eyes brightened. Even though Baek Ain only appeared this once, his character and work ethic charmed the Great Honey Milk Tree's Spirit.
Baek Ain smirked, "Become a partner with Behemoth Paradise."
"We will protect your domain from others. In exchange for a lifetime supply of your roots or any valuable medicine that won't hurt you directly."
"What do you think?"
The koala pondered as its goal was to survive and become the divine tree. It's not like those roots and negligible medicine will cause an irrecoverable loss anyway because the main tree could recover them quickly.
"Okay."
"I'll become Behemoth Paradise's Partner."
"Deal?" Baek Ain cheekily extended his hand.
The koala reached for Baek Ain's hand and answered firmly, "Deal."
